Best new casino sites-February 2023: claim new user promotions, bonus bets and more

As iGaming continues to expand throughout the United States, new online casino operators are launching every month, offering robust welcome offers and promotions to first-time players. Whether a brand is making its virtual debut for the first time ever or surfacing in a brand new state, the Tribune has you covered with all of the latest information you’ll need to know regarding recent or upcoming launches.

Without further ado, below are the most recent online casino brands to go live in any of the six U.S states with access to regulated iGaming. If you have yet to create an account with any of the operators listed below, be sure to click on the link beneath the casino to claim the site’s welcome offer. In doing so, the offer will automatically be applied to your new account immediately after signup is complete!

Bally Casino Pennsylvania

Bally’s Park Place in Atlantic City initially opened in 1979, however, the brand wouldn’t expand into the online casino realm until 43 years later in February 2022 when it debuted in New Jersey. With its place already solidified in arguably the nation’s top iGaming market, the company recently managed to lock up licensing in Pennsylvania in March 2023.

Following its soft launch period in early June 2023, Bally Casino PA is now live and accepting action in the Keystone State. Users can access the platform on both desktop and mobile using the same app and website as New Jersey-based players.

Bally Casino has yet to release its new-user promotion for the state of Pennsylvania, however, if it’s anything similar to its welcome offer available in New Jersey, players can anticipate a ‘Money Back’ offer worth up to $100. Simply put, if a player ends up in the red after their first 7 days playing on the site, Bally Casino will refund up to $100 of their losses. If you happen to be based in New Jersey and are looking for a new place to play, click on the link above to claim your offer today!

Tropicana Casino New Jersey & Pennsylvania

Caesars Entertainment recently made a big splash in two of the country’s largest iGaming markets when it officially resurrected Tropicana Online Casino in early April 2023.

Following a brief shutdown that started in June 2022 and forced all active Tropicana Casino users to move over to Caesars Casino, the brand’s parent company brought back Tropicana as a standalone product in New Jersey on April 5, 2023. By the end of the same month, the product expanded into Pennsylvania, going live on April 27 under Harrah’s Philadelphia’s license.

Players can now register and begin playing online casino games with Tropicana Casino in both New Jersey and Pennsylvania, despite the fact that there is no new-user promotion up for grabs at the moment.

Wheel of Fortune Casino New Jersey

BetMGM made major waves in the online casino world when it announced the launch of Wheel of Fortune Casino NJ on March 8, 2023. A collaborative project with IGT, Wheel of Fortune Casino became the first brand-led casino to ever launch in the United States and is already off to a hot start in the Garden State.

Wheel of Fortune Casino is now available for download on both iOS and Android devices in New Jersey, as well as accessible online through its desktop website. Both platforms present a layout similar to BetMGM, along with a selection of games that looks and feels almost identical.

Considering Wheel of Fortune Casino is an entirely new operator in the space, first-time users based in NJ are likely eligible for the site’s latest signup bonus, which offers all new patrons a 100% deposit match worth up to $2,500 PLUS $25 in bonus dollars on the house just for signing up. If interested, simply click on the link above and the offer will automatically be applied upon registration!

More about Chicago Tribune sports betting

<p>Gambling wasn't always regulated by law, but now every state has laws governing it. They have varying restrictions, ranging from the total ban enshrined in Utah's state constitution to the more permissive laws allowing state lotteries, casinos, and sports betting. In recent decades, Native American tribes have opened casinos on their land, which is not subject to state laws—and in some cases, have state permission to run casinos on non-tribal land.</p>

<p>There has also been an explosion in online gambling, which requires specific legal restrictions. So far, just West Virginia, Nevada, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and New Jersey allow it.</p>

<p>States' minimum legal gambling ages vary but tend to be between 18 and 21.</p> — Gambling wasn't always regulated by law, but now every state has laws governing it. They have varying restrictions, ranging from the total ban enshrined in Utah's state constitution to the more permissive laws allowing state lotteries, casinos, and sports betting. In recent decades, Native American tribes have opened casinos on their land, which is not subject to state laws—and in some cases, have state permission to run casinos on non-tribal land.

There has also been an explosion in online gambling, which requires specific legal restrictions. So far, just West Virginia, Nevada, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and New Jersey allow it.

States' minimum legal gambling ages vary but tend to be between 18 and 21.
(Nick_Nick // Shutterstock)

Legal online casinos by state

Despite the high number of states to legalize online sports betting since 2018, iGaming legislation has struggled to pass in most areas around the United States. There are currently just six states in the nation that offer legal, regulated online casino wagering, but that number is expected to grow as time progresses and more states take notice of the benefits it has provided to those jurisdictions. Until then, the status of legal iGaming across the United States is as follows:

State	Legal?
Alabama	No
Alaska	No
Arizona	No
Arkansas	No
California	No
Colorado	No
Connecticut	Yes
Delaware	Yes
Florida	No
Georgia	No
Hawaii	No
Idaho	No
Illinois	No
Indiana	No
Iowa	No
Kansas	No
Kentucky	No
Louisiana	No
Maine	No
Maryland	No
Massachusetts	No
Michigan	Yes
Minnesota	No
Mississippi	No
Missouri	No
Montana	No
Nebraska	No
Nevada	No
New Hampshire	No
New Jersey	Yes
New Mexico	No
New York	No
North Carolina	No
North Dakota	No
Ohio	No
Oklahoma	No
Oregon	No
Pennsylvania	Yes
Rhode Island	No
South Carolina	No
South Dakota	No
Tennessee	No
Texas	No
Utah	No
Vermont	No
Virginia	No
Washington	No
Washington D.C.	No
West Virginia	Yes
Wisconsin	No
Wyoming	No

<p>Like video games, <a href=https://www.chicagotribune.com/betting/casino/'https://casino.betmgm.com/en/blog/understanding-random-number-generators-at-casinos/#:~:text=Random%20number%20generators%20(RNGs)%20are,fair%20gaming%20at%20all%20times.'>physical gambling machines and online gambling games use randomization</a> to make unpredictable outcomes. The process can be done using a true random number generator, which uses a physical event like noise signals to determine the number, or a pseudo-random number generator, which uses an entirely computer-based algorithm. Both methods produce a similar experience for the user, but pseudo-randomization poses a slight risk of being hacked because the process is executed entirely online.</p>

<p>No matter which type of randomization is used in a particular game, implementing random number generation is meant to provide a fair and exciting experience for the user. Independent auditors help ensure that legal gambling providers use algorithms that create unpredictable and unbiased outcomes so users can play safely.</p> — Like video games, physical gambling machines and online gambling games use randomization to make unpredictable outcomes. The process can be done using a true random number generator, which uses a physical event like noise signals to determine the number, or a pseudo-random number generator, which uses an entirely computer-based algorithm. Both methods produce a similar experience for the user, but pseudo-randomization poses a slight risk of being hacked because the process is executed entirely online.

No matter which type of randomization is used in a particular game, implementing random number generation is meant to provide a fair and exciting experience for the user. Independent auditors help ensure that legal gambling providers use algorithms that create unpredictable and unbiased outcomes so users can play safely.
(Dzmitry Krus // Shutterstock)

New casino promotions

There are countless different online casino promotions currently up for grabs to new customers, regardless of which iGaming state they reside in, from deposit matches to free spins on select slots.

Deposit bonuses are essentially a match on your deposit, up to a certain amount, provided by the casino. Match bonuses are an excellent way to increase your bankroll as they can be used on a variety of different games including slots or table games.

Despite each state’s individual restrictions, users are not required to be residents of an iGaming state in order to use an app or website or claim any bonuses. Instead, players must simply be located within the state’s borders at the time of play, which is verifiable through geolocation. As long as you are located in New Jersey or Pennsylvania (depending on which online casino you choose) at the time of wagering, the following offers are all yours for the taking:

888casino NJ

888casino has established itself as one of the best slot gaming options in New Jersey. With more than 1,000 different slots on offer including Irish Riches, the Leprechaun King, Wild Saloon and Pharoahs Dream, 888 is one of the best online casino operators around.

888casino has free-play slots, real money slots and live slots on tap, so regardless of what you’re looking for in slot gaming, 888 has you covered. Free-play slots are a great way for novice bettors to get familiarized with the nature of slot machine gambling while the live slots and real money slots give seasoned bettors a chance to win big.

888casino’s current new customer offer consists of a $500 deposit bonus plus an additional $20 in bonus funds with no deposit required. This promotion is redeemable without a bonus code, as players can claim it by simply clicking on the link above and following these three steps:

Register for an account using the link above to claim $20 on the house to start
Make a deposit of at least $20 (max of $500 for the promotion)
Begin placing wagers with 888casino!

888casino accepts a variety of different withdrawal methods including: ACH, PayPal, Play+ and others. For more information about the accepted withdrawal methods at 888casino, click here.

Pros	Cons
High deposit bonus	Limited to New Jersey
$20 in bonus funds, free of charge	Live casino games are minimal
Dozens of different card and table games

betPARX Casino NJ & PA

betPARX Casino has an incredibly diverse array of casino betting options with video poker, jackpot slots and roulette all available to both its NJ and PA customers. Additionally, more than a dozen different live dealer games offer players a chance to wager against real dealers, taking the excitement of retail gambling online.

Currently, betPARX Casino is offering new customers up to 24 hours of stress-free casino play after signup, in which players can receive a refund on all net losses during that period up to $1,000. This offer is available in both New Jersey and Pennsylvania and can be claimed by completing the following steps:

Create a new betPARX Casino account by clicking on the link above
Make an initial deposit
Enjoy up to 24 hours of stress-free casino play

betPARX Casino accepts PayPal, ACH/eCheck, Play+, Skrill as withdrawal methods. For additional information about betPARX withdrawal methods, click here.

Pros	Cons
Unique welcome bonus	Limited to New Jersey and Pennsylvania
Website is somewhat slow
Wide variety of differnt slot games	Limited number of jackpot slots
A dozen different table games including live dealer poker and blackjack

Bally Casino NJ

Despite only recently arriving in Pennsylvania, Bally Casino has been live in New Jersey since 2022 and continues to serve Garden State bettors with its first-class online casino experience.

Bally Casino offers several different promotions for existing users as well as daily games that award free spins, Tundra Days in which users can snag casino bonus cash, and even a Bankroll Boost offering additional incentives.

Currently, Bally Casino offers new users up to $100 back in bonus funds if they lose over 90% of their wagers within 7 days of creating their new account. This offer is predicated on customers placing a wager of at least $10 to start.

To claim the new customer offer, users will need to:

Register for Bally Casino using the link above
Claim the offer under the ‘Promotions’ tab
Place an initial wager of at least $10

Bally currently acceptsACH withdrawal via VIP Preferred and Visa direct as withdrawal methods. For more information about Bally’s withdrawal methods, click here.

Pros	Cons
Brand recognition	Limited to New Jersey and Pennsylvania
Smooth UI and easy to navigate website	Realtively small deposit match
Wide variety of games and slots

A gambler plays a slot machine at the Hard Rock casino in Atlantic City N.J. on Aug, 8, 2022. On Thursday, Nov. 17, 2022, New Jersey gambling regulators released figures showing that the Atlantic City casinos, horse tracks that offer sports betting, and the online partners of both types of gambling outlets won over $445 million in October, a decline of less than 1% from the same period a year earlier. (AP Photo/Wayne Parry) (Wayne Parry/AP)

New Online Casinos FAQs

Below, we address some of the industry’s most common questions in regards to new online casino brands and iGaming websites in general. For further information on a specific brand or site, always refer to the FAQ section available on the brand’s app or website.

What is the benefit of an online casino?

Online gaming has become increasingly popular as users are realizing the benefits of being able to wager from their mobile device or computer. Rather than having to travel to a retail location to play slots or blackjack, bettors can now wager from the comfort of their own home.

Online casinos are also relatively new in general, as many states are seeing a burgeoning industry bloom in the wake of the 2018 Supreme Court decision. This has created a bit of a buyer’s market as various online casinos are jockeying for customers.

With all this competition, online casinos are constantly updating and expanding their welcome offers to best their rivals, which works out well for the average bettor who can claim heftier deposit matches and bonuses as the online casinos continue to vie for market share.

What qualifies as a new online casino?

A “new” online casino is relatively redundant because, as noted, online gaming is relatively new to the U.S. in general. However, in this context, “new” means any casino that has branched out into the online gaming space within the past year or so.

While big name brands like Caesars and BetMGM have had some variation of an online casino for a while, younger brands like betPARX Casino or even Bally Casino have only recently expanded to include online gaming here in the United States.

Is betting with an online casino safe?

Yes, betting with an online casino is just as safe as wagering at a retail casino. Nearly every online casino in the United States either serves as the mobile gaming arm for a brick-and-mortar location or has a licensing partnership with one, so your account and information will always be backed by a physical property. Furthermore, each iGaming state regulates all online casino operations that take place within its boundaries, ensuring that the player will never lose out in the case that any nefarious activity arrises.

Best New Online Casino Sites - August 2023: Latest Brands to Launch